Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If you have a Malaysian spouses, may you still apply for the MM2H program?
A: Previously, if you had a Malaysian spouse, you were not eligible for the MM2H visa and were required to apply for the ‘Spouse Visa’. Fortunately, the rules have changed, and you may now apply if you have a Malaysian wife/husband. pulvinar dapibus leo.
Q: Do I have to move to Malaysia as soon as I get the MM2H visa?
A: You do not have to move to Malaysia. There is talk about requiring approved applicants to spend 90 days a year in the country but as of January 2020 this had not been implemented. The visa allows you to come and go as you please.
Q: I am not married but my partner and I have been living together for a long time. Can we apply for the programme?
A: If you are not married, you will have to apply separately and you will both need to qualify for the visa
Q: Will I get PR (Permanent Residency) status if I apply for MM2H?
A: Unfortunately, having an MM2H visa does not entitle applicants to citizenship or Permanent Residency (PR) and it cannot be converted to PR status. The MM2H visa is a 5+5 year visa which gives the flexibility for the applicants to come in and out of Malaysia as many times as they like without any restrictions.
Q: Can I open or buy a business in Malaysia under MM2H?
A: It is possible to set up a business or buy one but you are not allowed to become involved in the day-to-day running of the business. In that case, you need to apply for a work visa.
Q: Can participants buy tax-free cars?
A: MM2H applicants are no longer allowed to import or buy a tax-free car.
Q: Do I have to buy a property if I am approved?
A: The programme does not require any property purchase. According to research by Connexion Advisory (MM2H) Sdn. Bhd, around 20 percent of applicants who move here choose to rent properties or stay in serviced apartments.
Q: Must foreigners buy new properties, (e.g. from developers), or can they purchase any property, (second-hand or third-hand property)?
A: You can buy new or second-hand properties. Each state in Malaysia sets its own rules regarding property purchase. Usually, any property over RM1,000,000 can be purchased by a foreigner but some states have slightly different rules and some states set lower limits for people with the MM2H visa.
Q: If I purchase a property, must I still place a fixed deposit?
A: Yes, you have to place the fixed deposit although it can be reduced if you buy a property.
Q: When can I withdraw my fixed deposit?
A: You can only withdraw the Fixed Deposit when you leave the program. A partial withdrawal is permitted after one year (50%) to cover actual expenses incurred for – property purchase, car purchase, education of children, and medical expenses
Q: My pension and other income are taxed at the source. Even though it is not taxed in Malaysia, I still pay tax in my home country, so I receive no financial benefits.
A: If your country has a double tax agreement with Malaysia (such as the UK and Germany), then you can register with the tax authorities in Malaysia, even though you have no tax liability in this country. You can then show this to your home country’s tax authorities, who may authorize your pension to be paid tax-free.
Q: Is it possible to open a Malaysian bank account from abroad?
A: Once you have obtained the MM2H approval and you have a bank account in your home country, then you can usually arrange to open an account with their branch in Malaysia. Otherwise, you can open one when you have collected the visa and move here.
Q: Is it allowable, once you have been conditionally approved, to enter the country and go to a local bank to deposit cash and open an account?
A: Most clients will open their FD account once they arrive in Malaysia. Setting up the FD account is simple but transferring the money from your home country to the bank account here can take several days. Due to immigration law, you are only allowed to bring a certain amount of cash with you so make arrangements for this.